Waterborne microorganisms and biofilms related to hospital infections: strategies for prevention and control in healthcare facilities

Water is the main stimulus for the development of microorganisms, and its flow has an important role in the spreading of contaminants. In hospitals, the water distribution system requires special attention since it can be a source of pathogens, including those in the form of biofilms often correlated with resistance of microorganisms to various treatments. In this paper, information relevant to cases of nosocomial infections involving water circuits as a source of contaminants is compiled, with emphasis on the importance of microbiological control strategies to prevent the installation, spreading and growth of microorganisms in hospitals. An overview of the worldwide situation is provided, with emphasis on Brazilian hospitals. Different approaches normally used to control the occurrence of nosocomial infections due to waterborne contaminants are analyzed, and the use of the polysaccharide chitosan for this specific application is briefly discussed.

Related articles

Download our new case study (CS 134) and learn how HydroBio® Advance optimized the biocide programme and improves the full plant efficiency through:
Control of microbiological status with online biofilm monitoring.
Optimization of the biocide treatment.
Successful deposit control and so clean system.
Improvement in cooling tower performance.
Increase in control of operation.

Sphingomonas paucimobilis, an oligotroph, is well recognized for its potential for biofilm formation. The present study explored the biofilm forming ability of a strain isolated from municipal drinking water on plumbing materials. The intensity of biofilm formation of this strain on different plumbing materials was examined by using 1 × 1 cm2 pieces of six different pipe materials, i.e. polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), aluminium (Al), copper (Cu) and rubber (R) and observing by...

This study investigates the effects of phosphorus supplementation on the formation potential of total trihalomethanes (TTHMfp) and five species of haloacetic acids (HAA5fp) during exposure to clearwell disinfection contact times. In addition, the study investigates the effects of phosphorus supplementation on the dissolved oxygen, organic carbon and nitrogen removal along with biofilm coverage of the filter media and biomass viability of the attached biofilm. The uptake of total phosphorus in the P enhanced...

Greywater is an important non-conventional water resource which can be treated and recycled in buildings. A decentralized greywater recycling system for 223 inhabitants started operating in 2006 in Berlin, Germany. High load greywater undergoes advanced treatment in a multistage moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) followed by sand filtration and UV disinfection. The treated water is used safely as service water for toilet flushing. Monitoring of the organic matter degradation was pursued to describe the degradation...

Customer comments

No comments were found for Waterborne microorganisms and biofilms related to hospital infections: strategies for prevention and control in healthcare facilities. Be the first to comment!

Add your comment

Great! comment successfully added!

Contact

Your message:

Your email

Your first name

Your last name

I would like to receive periodic email updates and special offers from select suppliers.